These simple elderberry wine recipes are perfect for beginning home winemakers. One uses natural yeast and the other uses commercial wine yeast. Each one creates a robust red wine. The sun wine is a little sweeter with less alcohol, and the country wine is a little heartier with higher alcohol content. We’ll take you through... The post How to Make Old Fashioned Elderberry Wine appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

This easy elderberry jam recipe helps you turn your berry bounty into a chunky spread with less sugar. I like to use Pomona’s Universal Pectin for quicker cooking, but we also include directions with no added pectin. Not a fan of seeds? Check out our elderberry jelly recipes. Where to Get Elderberries You may be... The post Easy Elderberry Jam Recipe with Less Sugar appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Before we had our own elderberry patch, I went foraging for wild elderberries with friends. We had a blast – and filled the trunk of the car with berries! For those interested in foraging wild elderberries, we’re sharing key identification tips and look-alikes to avoid. Where to Find Wild Elderberries The two most commonly harvested... The post Wild Elderberry – What does an elderberry plant look like? appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti, is a noxious weed in American farm fields, but has a long history of use for food, medicine, and fiber in China and India. It’s also a food source for many types of wildlife. We’ll discuss identification, historical uses, and control of this fuzz covered plant. Range and Identification of Velvetleaf Velvetleaf... The post Velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti – Identification, Uses, Control appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

We’re sharing how to can tomatoes in their own juice for maximum flavor. These are great for soups, stews, or sauces. Remember, always start with fresh, ripe tomatoes in good condition. Equipment You Need to Can Tomatoes at Home You need equipment to prep the tomatoes, and equipment for the canning process itself. For Tomato... The post How to Can Tomatoes – Step by Step with Photos & Video appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Our free guide, Herbs for Pollinators, is designed to help you create a thriving, pollinator-friendly garden using easy-to-grow herbs. Whether you’re looking to boost biodiversity, support bees, butterflies, or hummingbirds, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature, this guide provides everything you need to know about the best herbs to plant. Download it today and... The post Herbs for Pollinators (and You) appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is commonly referred to as seasonal depression. When daylight hours shorten, it can mess with your system. I reached out to our readers for their best tips for seasonal depression, and gathered some of my own. Whether you’re experiencing it or supporting someone who is, understanding SAD and having strategies to... The post 7 Tips for Seasonal Depression – Beat the Winter Blues appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Our blackberry patch produced a bumper crop this year, so we enjoyed the bounty and shared with friends. This blackberry fruit leather is easy to make and turns your berries into a long lasting treat. Fresh berries are yummy, but they don’t keep well. Once we turn them into fruit leather, they easily last a... The post Blackberry Fruit Leather (Easy Homemade Fruit Roll) appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Common Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare, puts on a long lasting floral display in late summer and fall. The flat topped, yellow button like flowers are easy to spot, and the fernlike foliage has a distinctive aroma when crushed. We’ll share some identification and control tips, history, and uses. Tansy Characteristics and Identification Tanacetum vulgare is a... The post Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare – Potent Natural Pest Repellent appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

This pear custard pie combines creamy custard and golden brown streusel topping for a delicious treat. The old fashioned flavor is sure to please. Serve it plain, or top with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Pear Custard Pie Recipe This pear pie recipe is adapted from Favorite Recipes of America: Desserts,... The post Easy Pear Custard Pie with Buttery Streusel Topping appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more